Plastron-Mounted Loggers Predict TerrestrialTurtle Body Temperature Better thanCarapace-Mounted Loggers

摘要

Studies of thermal ecology are imperative for understanding habitat use and selection byanimals and can inform management decisions for conservation of species and habitat. Chelonian thermalecology studies have used carapace measurements as proxies for body temperatures despite recordeddifferences exceeding 58 C. Although implanting temperature loggers is the optimal method for measuringbody temperature, performing implantation surgery is not always a feasible option. Additionally, differencesin thermal properties of a carapace-mounted temperature logger and turtle shell may alter how we interpretthese data. We sought to validate a less invasive approach to measure body temperature in terrestrialchelonians using eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina; captured in southwestern Ohio, USA, during2014 and 2015) to assess the accuracy and precision of external placements. Our goal was to determine theoptimal external temperature logger placement for predicting body temperature and compare specific heatcapacity of loggers and turtle shell to assess their use as proxies for body and microhabitat temperature. Wefound that placing the temperature logger on the plastron of the turtle was a better predictor of bodytemperature than using a carapace logger, and the combination of both loggers had the best predictive value.We argue that for thermal ecology studies informing management and conservation decisions in terrestrialchelonians, the carapace temperature logger is a better indicator of ambient temperature and the plastrontemperature logger is a more appropriate proxy for body temperature.